More than 50 former college basketball players have filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in North Carolina. The legal action challenges a new eligibility policy that affects athletes from the high school graduating class of 2022. The plaintiffs argue the NCAA applied its new five-in-five model inconsistently. While current athletes from the classes of 2023, 2024, and 2025 received an extra year of eligibility, those from the class of 2022 were excluded.
The lawsuit, filed in Guilford County Superior Court, names the NCAA as the defendant. It seeks a preliminary injunction to allow the affected players to compete during the 2026-27 season. Plaintiffs contend that the NCAA violated its contractual obligations and state law regarding fair trade practices by failing to apply the policy uniformly across recent graduating cohorts.
Several athletes with ties to North Carolina institutions are among the group. These include players previously associated with NC State, Wake Forest, Appalachian State, Charlotte, High Point, UNC Wilmington, North Carolina A&T, and Elon. The legal filing highlights the urgency of the situation, noting that basketball rosters for the upcoming season are nearly finalized. The plaintiffs state that losing this year of eligibility carries severe consequences for their future, including potential loss of scholarships, revenue-sharing, and name, image, and likeness earnings.
This case follows similar legal actions taken in other states. Earlier this month, an Ohio judge granted a preliminary injunction that allows another group of basketball players to compete while their legal challenge proceeds. The plaintiffs in the North Carolina case are asking the court to prevent the NCAA from penalizing schools that permit them to compete while the litigation remains active. The NCAA has not yet filed a formal response in the Guilford County case.